For loyal United travelers, 2026 brings a significant shift in how they experience the skies. Existing Premier members will retain a valuable head start toward maintaining their elite status, receiving a boost of PQPs – Premier Qualifying Points – at the beginning of the year. These boosts range from 300 PQPs for Premier Silver to a substantial 1,400 for Premier 1K, ensuring a smoother path to continued benefits.
A major upgrade to the upgrade experience is on the horizon. Starting February 1, 2026, all Premier members will be eligible for complimentary and PlusPoints upgrades, even when traveling on award tickets purchased with United MileagePlus miles. This eliminates a previous restriction, creating a more consistent and rewarding experience regardless of how a flight is booked.
The valuable PlusPoints currency is also evolving. Premier Platinum members will continue to receive 40 PlusPoints, while Premier 1K members will be awarded 280. These points can be used for cabin upgrades, bonus miles, travel credits, or even gifting status to others, offering increased flexibility and personalization.
Premier 1K members will soon have a new avenue for earning PlusPoints. Beginning January 1, 2026, spending on eligible United co-branded credit cards will contribute to PlusPoints accrual, potentially unlocking even more upgrade opportunities for the airline’s most dedicated flyers. While limitations will apply, this represents a significant enhancement to the program.
Looking ahead to 2027, a change is coming to PlusPoints redemption. The current fixed-rate chart for upgrades will be replaced with dynamic pricing, meaning the number of PlusPoints needed for an upgrade will fluctuate based on demand, route, and availability. This shift mirrors a trend seen across the airline industry, adapting to market conditions.
United anticipates that dynamic pricing will result in some upgrades costing less, others remaining similar, and some increasing in price, particularly during peak travel seasons and on popular routes. The airline emphasizes this isn’t a devaluation, but rather a reflection of market pricing and increased flexibility.
Finally, United is expanding access to coveted Polaris saver award availability. Premier members and United Chase credit card holders will now have increased opportunities to find lower-priced award redemptions for the airline’s premium cabin, rewarding loyalty with enhanced access to the best available seats. Logging into a loyalty account during award searches is now more crucial than ever.
These changes signal a broader evolution of United’s MileagePlus program, with executives hinting at further enhancements in the years to come. The airline is clearly focused on rewarding its most loyal customers while adapting to the changing landscape of air travel.
